LVG B.I
LVG · Germany · first flew 1914 · light aircraft
The LVG B.I was a German two-seat unarmed reconnaissance biplane that served in the opening phase of World War I. Like other Prussian B-category aircraft, it carried an observer and pilot for artillery spotting and photographic reconnaissance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat unarmed reconnaissance biplane of early World War I
- Observer seated in front, pilot behind — reverse of later types
- Simple wire-braced biplane with equal-span wings
Identified by its conventional equal-span biplane layout, the unusual forward observer/rear pilot seating arrangement, and the absence of any armament or gun ring.
Specifications
- The LVG B.I has a length of 8.3 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.12 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 105 km/h (65 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Produced by Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft from 1914, the B.I was among the first German aircraft deployed to the Western Front for systematic reconnaissance duties. It was quickly superseded by more capable C-category armed two-seaters as the war intensified.
Variants
The LVG B.II followed with a more powerful engine and refined airframe.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial German Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) on the Western and Eastern Fronts in 1914-1915.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.